Senate Panel Approves Assault Weapons Ban

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved an assault weapons ban in a party-line vote that underscores how hard it will be for the measure to survive in the full Senate.

The proposal by California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein was approved on a 10-8 vote Thursday by the Democratic-controlled committee.

An assault rifle was used by the man who killed 26 elementary school students and staff in Newtown, Conn., in December. Banning the weapons is key to President Barack Obama's plan to curb gun violence.

The measure is not expected to survive in the Senate. Feinstein faces overwhelming GOP opposition and likely defections by up to six moderate Democrats facing re-election next year in Republican-leaning states in the South and West.

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